Formula 1
McLaren MP4-22 design philosophy
The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22, raced by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, features some advanced engineering concepts. With some novel aerodynamic solutions, allied to unprecedented levels of efficiency in its crash structures, the car ...
Edited: Jan 17, 2007, 1:42 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22, raced by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, features some advanced engineering concepts.
With some novel aerodynamic solutions, allied to unprecedented levels of efficiency in its crash structures, the car showcases the engineering strength in depth of McLaren Racing and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines.
Although Formula 1 teams are admired throughout industry for their leading edge technology and short development times, long-term planning has also been crucial in the construction of the MP4-22.
Its development period commenced before its predecessor the MP4-21 had even turned a wheel. Initial sketches of aerodynamic concepts and discussions over the design of the clutch and gearbox took place back in December 2005. During the design process, each of the car's 11,000 components were reviewed in meticulous detail in the quest for improved performance, reliability and efficiency.
The MP4-22 represents the latest research and development concepts. Initial ideas were developed with Computer Aided Design (CAD) in mid-March 2006, with the first Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations running later that month. The wind tunnel programme commenced in May.
The design also incorporates three demanding new pieces of crash protection legislation. A totally new rear crash structure is noticeably wider and blunter than its predecessor. An extra 6mm-thick laminated panel is now also required to be bonded to the side of the driver cell to guard against penetration from another car or object. Frontal protection for the driver has been improved too, with the velocity of impact in the crash test raised from 14 to 15 metres per second, with a softer deceleration both front and rear.
Other regulation changes that have impacted on the design process include the use of a homologated engine for 2007, and the switch to a single tyre supplier.
The construction and profile of the Bridgestone Potenza tyres have had an influence on the MP4-22's chassis dynamics and significantly the aerodynamics. The tyres affect the flow structures downstream of the front wheels, and the team's engineers have used CFD software -- for the simulation of heat and fluid flow -- to devise the optimum solution to harness the new rubber.
With such detailed simulation increasingly vital in Formula 1, the infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and technical tools available to the design team at the McLaren Technology Centre have played an important role. The MP4-22's development involved the generation of generation of 4,500 component and 3,500 tooling drawings, and the aerodynamics development is very demanding with a continuous program which requires an entirely new set of wetted surfaces for the launch car, with around a third being updated before the first race. This is followed up with new aero components being brought to the car every 3-4 weeks throughout the season.
Following the MP4-22's first test in January 2007, development will continue apace on the track and at the McLaren Technology Centre before it's race debut on Sunday 18th March at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia.
-credit: mclaren
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Massa really motivated
Next article Whitmarsh highly optimistic for 2007
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
14 h
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
Why Honda’s power unit lasted barely five laps in F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Why Honda’s power unit lasted barely five laps in F1 Mexico GP
More from
Mercedes
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
20 h
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Latest news
Carson Hocevar posts 18-minute apology video: "I'm the bad guy"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
8 h
Carson Hocevar posts 18-minute apology video: "I'm the bad guy"
Timmy Hill secures full-time NASCAR Truck ride for 2027
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
10 h
Timmy Hill secures full-time NASCAR Truck ride for 2027
Kimi Antonelli admits he questioned himself throughout his rookie campaign
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
Kimi Antonelli admits he questioned himself throughout his rookie campaign
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe